Portland Port claims cruise ship failing to dock has lost local economy £400,000
Princess Cruise lines’ Regal Princess gave the port a wide berth due to a protest over a migrant barge
Last updated 12th Jul 2023
The cancellation of a cruise ship visit to Portland has cost the local economy approximately £400,000, according to Portland Port.
It has set out the impact following the non-arrival of Princess Cruise lines’ Regal Princess with more than 3,600 passengers over the weekend.
Portland Port calculated the figure using industry statistics based on spend per head by passengers as well as spend by crew and additional revenues for local transport operators and other suppliers.
The port is in the process of gathering information to establish the full facts behind the cancellation.
Bill Reeves, chief executive of Portland Port, said: “Cruise calls to Portland Port contribute £10m to the local economy every year.
“The visit by the Regal Princess alone would have generated approximately £400,000 for local businesses.
“This includes spending in shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, tourist attractions, for guides and taxis as well as for those in the supply chain such as bus and coach operators and through indirect spend.
“The port has also lost berthing fees but this is significantly outweighed by the overall cost to the local economy.
“Cruise calls not only create and support local jobs and the economy, they generate significant exposure for the area and help to encourage return visits.
“A great deal of time and effort has been taken to build up our cruise business to diversify revenues at the port and support the local economy, of which we are proud to be a part. The importance of this cruise business cannot be underestimated.
“All other cruise calls are continuing as planned over the remainder of the season. Indeed, we were able to accommodate the Norwegian Dawn on Monday after she requested to arrive early due to bad weather elsewhere.
“She had 2,360 guests on board, around half of which went into Weymouth on Monday evening, spending money in restaurants, cafes, bars and take-aways, and by all accounts having a great time.”
The cancellation came on the same day, Saturday July 8, as protests on Portland about the forthcoming arrival of an accommodation vessel for asylum seekers.
A spokesperson for Princess Cruises said:
"Due to protests anticipated in Portland, UK, on Saturday, July 8, Regal Princess will bypass its scheduled call there and spend the day at sea instead.
"The decision was made in the interest of the safety and security of our guests and crew following our security team’s consultation with local authorities. "
"We regret any disappointment this unexpected itinerary change may cause our guests."
Portland Port is due to welcome a record number of passengers on cruise calls this year, including ships using its new £26m deepwater berth which allows larger vessels to berth.
Earlier this year, the port held trade group Cruise Britain’s summer event in Weymouth and Portland, bring influential industry figures to the area.
Portland Port employs 53 people and has a number of tenants, including cargo businesses, which provide jobs for more than 250 people.
Portland Port is based in South Dorset and has operated on a commercial basis since 1996. It has a number of commercial tenants and provides maritime and marine related services.